Female Crabs Are More Sensitive to Environmentally Relevant Electromagnetic Fields from Submarine Power Cables

Environmental Science and Technology Letters · 2025 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 2542

Study snapshot

PublicationEnvironmental Science and Technology Letters · 2025

Study typeanimal

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Category: Environmental Science Tags: electromagnetic fields, submarine power cables, shore crabs, sex-specific response, marine ecology, behavioral disruption, environmental risk DOI: 10.1021/acs.estlett.5c00862 URL: pubs.acs.org Overview The expansion of offshore wind and marine renewable energy devices (MREDs) has led to an increase in anthropogenic electromagnetic fields (EMFs) from submarine power cables (SPCs). These EMFs, generated by SPCs, can exceed 2,700 μT—substantially higher than the natural geomagnetic field—and may directly impact the behavior of benthic animals, such as crabs. Findings - Recent research explored EMF sensitivity in juvenile shore crabs (Carcinus maenas), focusing on sex-specific behavioral responses. - In controlled trials using a Helmholtz coil system, 120 crabs (with a 1:1 sex ratio) were exposed to EMFs of 500, 1000, and 3,200 μT for ten minutes. - Female crabs consistently demonstrated a strong attraction to EMF-exposed zones, spending up to 131% more time in these areas and significantly less time in low-field zones. - Females also influenced group movement patterns, while males showed no consistent spatial preference or heightened activity, even at the highest EMF exposure. Conclusion Sex-specific sensitivity to SPC-generated EMFs could disrupt crucial female-driven behaviors like seasonal migrations and larval release in shore crabs. This increased attraction might cause disorientation, aggregation, or migration delays, potentially impacting sex ratios and larval export. The research provides the first direct evidence of sex-based EMF responses in crustaceans and underscores the need to consider sex as a vital variable in ecological risk assessments related to offshore energy infrastructure. ⚠️ EMF exposure represents a significant environmental variable with direct links to behavioral and ecological disruption in benthic marine species, warranting careful monitoring and risk assessment.

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AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typeanimal

Effect directionmixed

PopulationJuvenile shore crabs (Carcinus maenas)

Sample size120

Exposure10 minutes

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

In controlled trials using a Helmholtz coil system, 120 juvenile shore crabs (1:1 sex ratio) were exposed to 500, 1000, and 3,200 μT EMFs for 10 minutes. Female crabs showed consistent attraction to EMF-exposed zones (up to 131% more time) and spent significantly less time in low-field zones, while males showed no consistent spatial preference or heightened activity even at the highest exposure.

Outcomes measured

Behavioral spatial preference/attraction to EMF-exposed zones
Time spent in EMF-exposed vs low-field zones
Group movement patterns/activity

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": null,
    "source": "submarine power cables",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "10 minutes"
  },
  "population": "Juvenile shore crabs (Carcinus maenas)",
  "sample_size": 120,
  "outcomes": [
    "Behavioral spatial preference/attraction to EMF-exposed zones",
    "Time spent in EMF-exposed vs low-field zones",
    "Group movement patterns/activity"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In controlled trials using a Helmholtz coil system, 120 juvenile shore crabs (1:1 sex ratio) were exposed to 500, 1000, and 3,200 μT EMFs for 10 minutes. Female crabs showed consistent attraction to EMF-exposed zones (up to 131% more time) and spent significantly less time in low-field zones, while males showed no consistent spatial preference or heightened activity even at the highest exposure.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "electromagnetic fields",
    "submarine power cables",
    "offshore wind",
    "marine renewable energy devices",
    "shore crabs",
    "Carcinus maenas",
    "sex-specific response",
    "behavior",
    "Helmholtz coil",
    "μT"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "other",
      "weight": 0.6,
      "reason": "Animal study on EMFs from submarine power cables affecting marine species behavior; not a common portal hub like RF/5G or occupational exposure."
    }
  ]
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.1021/acs.estlett.5c00862
PubMed: Not supplied

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